Local elementary teachers could strike the week before Christmas

WATERLOO REGION — Public elementary teachers in Waterloo Region will be in a legal position to walk off the job on Dec. 17 — a week before the Christmas holidays begin.

Until then, teachers are in the classroom. But across the province, five school boards are in a legal strike position and could be on a picket line next week.

Mark Schinkel, superintendent of human resources at the Waterloo Region District School Board, said a working group has been established at the board to deal with possible challenges if local teachers leave the classroom.

Schinkel said the board has a “good working relationship” with the union and will be given notice if teachers walk out. He said Dec. 17 is the earliest local teachers could go on strike.

“Our first priority is to keep schools safe and secure,” he said.

The provincial leader of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario announced plans for escalated job action this week, meaning teachers would leave the classroom and join a picket line.

Teachers’ unions say they have no choice but to strike when the government can legislate the terms of their contract. Union leaders promised they would give parents three days notice before walking out.

Education Minister Laurel Broten said she’s not happy with a potential work stoppage and has put teachers on notice that she has the power to keep students in the classroom.

Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Michael Harris said Broten should use her powers and put a stop to teachers’ job action.

Harris said the Conservatives worked with the Liberals in August to pass the controversial teacher wage freeze legislation.

“We gave them the tools, now use it,” he said. “Stop these games.”

Harris said parents are calling his office demanding an end to the threats made by teachers’ unions.

Father Shan Jamal, who has a son attending Centennial Public School in Waterloo, said he’s frustrated with teachers, some of whom have pulled extra curricular activities at schools and now may be out of the classroom.

“They are taking their battle and fighting with the kids. The kids cannot defend themselves,” he said. “I completely disagree with this. I don’t have any sympathy for them.”

Teachers are angry with the Liberal government over what they call draconian legislation. The bill freezes teachers’ wages for two years, cuts their sick days in half, and gives the government the power to block a strike.

The Dalton McGuinty government has said the legislation was necessary to combat a $14.8-billion deficit while keeping class sizes low and implementing full-day kindergarten.